Iran Becomes a Theocracy with Islamic Revolution

The country's pro-Axis allegiance in World War
II led to Anglo-Russian occupation of Iran in 1941 and deposition of the
shah in favor of his son, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. Pahlavi's Westernization
programs alienated the clergy, and his authoritarian rule led to massive
demonstrations during the 1970s, to which the shah responded with the
imposition of martial law in Sept. 1978. The shah and his family fled Iran
on Jan. 16, 1979, and the exiled cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
returned to establish an Islamic theocracy. Khomeini proceeded with his
plans for revitalizing Islamic traditions. He urged women to return to
wearing the veil; banned alcohol, Western music, and mixed bathing; shut
down the media; closed universities; and eliminated political parties.